I've been counting down to it since sodding March and what we get is a tossing Miranda-fest. I was beyond pissed off with it. If that's the way series 4 is going to go I might have to start watching Downton instead!

The decision to become a Nun was the bit that tipped me strangely enough. Combination of the couple caring for each other. The lobotomy scene was v moving too, thought the facial expressions of not comprehending was moving.

I used to work with people who came out of institutions and it was so sad.

The lobotomy scene was v moving too, thought the facial expressions of not comprehending was moving

To get back on track, I agree OodKingWenceslas except that I thought they did get it and that it was unintentionally brutal to force them to understand.

I thought it would have been kinder to leave Nancy to her dream that she might have a child. She didn't seem hell-bent on it but she would have liked one and wanted to give a child to her partner (can't remember his name).

To take away all hope in her situation seemed not only cruel but unrealistic.

I've only a folk memory of it but I thought that in 1959 HCPs were more patronising and didn't tell it like it is. Often to the detriment of their patients, though in this case I would thought that lying by omission would be acceptable. And Cynthia isn't cruel - it was Cynthia, wasn't it?

Now HCPs are more upfront and respectful of their patients but IME they still lie by omission or drip-feed information as they think you can handle it. I'm okay with that.

That's not my job. If anyone disagrees because of the ethics or the burdens of doing the job, I'll completely understand their POV.

On a pragmatic basis, I think it's better that a couple such as them weren't burdened with a baby. I realise that sounds awful and I don't mean it to come over that way. I would not have forcibly lobotomised and sterilised her and I think anyone who did that should be prosecuted for assault.

These days we have complicated court cases over that kind of thing which is right. We still make those decisions, though, don't we? But at least it can't be done on a wink and a nod.

I hope I'm making myself clear. I'm most definitely not for eugenics or loftily deciding to do things for or to other people for their own good. I just think that given the situation that was the best outcome and Cynthia should and would have kept quiet.

Call The Midwife has gone off the boil but it still has its moments. Not least that it enables me to bore on about medical ethics when I should be getting on with the Boxing Day dinner

Oh well, look on the bright side - at least it wasn't dead children and workhouses this year. I'm still scarred from that one . If you watch Long Lost Families last night's episode was a walk in the park.

And Peter did pass his sergeant exams, which means they can have a garden - hurrah!